By looking at yourself, you will see your actual and ideal unacceptable behavior to others.

The UNKNOWN self is

self. The ideal self is the one you aspire to be. The one a journeying self, it is selfdiscovering and unfolding what
that you hope will possess characteristics similar to that you need to know more about what you are and what
of a mentor or some other worldly figure. Your actual you are capable of.
self, however, is the one that you actually see. It is the
1. Self-concept refers to your awareness of yourself. It is
self that has characteristics that you were nurtured or,
the construct that negotiates these two selves.
in some cases, born to have. The actual self and the
ideal self are two broad categories of self-concept. 2. The two broad categories of self- concept are actual
self and ideal self.
Self-concept refers to your awareness of yourself. It is
the construct that negotiates these two selves. In other 3. The actual self is built on self-knowledge. Self-
words, it connotes first the identification of the ideal knowledge is derived from social interactions that
self as separate from others, and second, it provide insight into how others react to you.
encompasses all the behaviors evaluated in the actual
self that you engage in to reach the ideal self. The actual 4. The ideal self, is the one you aspire to be. The one
self and the ideal self are two broad categories of self- that you hope will possess characteristics similar to that
concept. Self-concept refers to your awareness of of a mentor or some other worldly figure.
yourself. It is the construct that negotiates these two 5. The benefit of knowing yourself is important in
selves. In other words, it connotes first the identification understanding the kind of person you are and how you
of the ideal self as separate from others, and second, it are to others.
encompasses all the behaviors evaluated in the actual
self that you engage in to reach the ideal self. 6. Focus more on your strengths and abilities.

The actual self is built on self-knowledge. Self- 7. Improve your weaknesses by accepting who you are
knowledge is derived from social interactions that and have confidence to grow up from your limitations.
provide insight into how others react to you. The actual 8. Show the world what you have and be proud of
self is who we actually are. It is how we think, how we yourself.
feel, look, and act. The actual self can be seen by others,
but because we have no way of truly knowing how Aspects of the Self
others view us, the actual self is our self-image.
The self-concept is represented by several aspects of
The ideal self, on the other hand, is how we want to be. the self. It is conceived as collection of multiple, context-
It is an idealized image that we have developed over dependent selves. This construct believes that context
time, based on what we have learned and experienced. activates particular regions of self-knowledge and self-
The ideal self could include components of what our relevant feedback affects self-evaluations.
parents have taught us, what we admire in others, what
A deeper look on the different aspects of self can
our society promotes, and what we think is in our best
identify specific areas for self-regulation, stability and
interest.
improvement.
The benefit of knowing yourself is important in
In a nutshell, an individual is composed of three basic,
understanding the kind of person you are and how you
but very different aspects of the self. They are the
are to others. Based from the Johari window of self, the
physical or tangible aspects as they relate to the body,
KNOWN SELF is a clearly manifestation of our self the
the intellectual and conscious aspects as they relate to
one we know is shown in us. The BLIND SELF is things
the mind, and the emotional and intuitive aspects as
we usually have that we are unconscious of, the
they relate to the spirit. All three aspects work together
unconscious self tends to act on qualities that we are
in perfect harmony when attention is paid to all three
unaware of.
simultaneously.
The HIDDEN self is a hiding self. It is not showing the
Many individuals put a strong emphasis on the physical
things we actually have like our weaknesses and
aspect of the self. The body is tangible, obvious, and we
limitations for they may end up discrimination or
respond to it easily. More time and money is spent on
enhancing the physical component than either of the Figure: Self-Actualization
other two aspects.

This does not mean, however, that the body is healthy

or strong. The body provides a place to house the spirit
(often experienced as feelings) and the mind (often
experienced as thought).

It may be important to some that their mind can be

prominent and well educated. The mind is important, as
it is the part of the self that directs the other two
aspects. The mind learns what to do and communicates
the information to the body and the feelings. What the
mind believes, the body manifests or acts on, and the
emotions feel, or respond with. People store both
healthy and destructive thoughts and beliefs and
responds to life's circumstances in the most prominent
manner. The mind provides access creativity and
serenity which are necessary for such processes as Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs explains the basic
prayer, forgiveness, acceptance, and passion. theory of self-development. According to this theory,
needs in the lower hierarchy must be satisfied before
The human emotions are the most feared aspect of the
individuals can attend to needs higher up.
self, as individuals are reluctant and unprepared to
manage them. Managing feelings is like trying to hold Growth needs do not stem from a lack of something,
water in the palm of your hands. They are illusive and but rather from a desire to grow as a person. Every
deceptive. A decision made under emotional stress and person is capable and has the desire to move up the
strain usually impacts emotions negatively. hierarchy toward a level of self- actualization.

Negative emotions that are not managed well are stored Remember
and repressed. Repression is destructive to a content
1. Always learn by heart what you have pondered
self since all feelings, not only negative ones are stored
in this lesson. There are three important aspects
away. Accessing feelings when they are needed now
that we have. a. physical b. intellectual c.
becomes difficult, leaving the individual numb and
emotional
hopeless.
2. Many individuals put a strong emphasis on the
For instance, a girl realizes that she is giving much physical aspect of the self. The body is tangible,
attention on the physical aspects and less attention on obvious, and we respond to it easily.
her intellectual self. In this way, she can discover how 3. Many individuals put a strong emphasis on the
much money and time spent maintaining her physique physical aspect of the self. The body is tangible,
and its consequences in her grades. By this honest obvious, and we respond to it easily. More time
evaluation of herself, she can plan effective actions to and money is spent on enhancing the physical
improve her study habits. She can start seeking for help component than either of the other two
and for related books to read or browse articles to help aspects.
her improve her study habits. 4. In Abraham Maslow’s hierarchy of needs explain
the basic Theory of SelfDevelopment. According
to this theory, needs lower down in the
hierarchy must be satisfied before individuals
can attend to needs higher up.
5. Growth needs do not stem from a lack of
something, but rather from a desire to grow as
a person.
Developmental Stages The Developmental Tasks Summary Table

Human Development focuses on human growth and

changes across the lifespan, including physical,
cognitive, social, intellectual, perceptual, personality
and emotional growth. The study of human
developmental stages is essential to understanding how
humans learn, mature and adapt. Throughout their
lives, humans go through various stages of
development.

The human being is either in a state of growth or

decline, but either condition imparts change. Some
aspects of our life change very little over time, are
consistent. Other aspects change dramatically. By
understanding these changes, we can better respond
and plan ahead effectively.

Challenges

The developmental tasks of adolescence that Erikson

outlined include the development of a sense of mastery,
identity, and intimacy. Others have added the
establishment of autonomy, management of sexuality
and intimacy, and finding a niche for oneself in
education and work.

Eccles and Gootman elaborated on these tasks,

identifying several more specific challenges: (1) shifts in
relationship with parents from dependency and
subordination to one that reflects the adolescent’s
increasing maturity and responsibilities in the family
and the community, (2) the exploration of new roles
(both social and sexual), (3) the experience of intimate
partnerships, (4) identity formation at both the social
and personal levels, (5) planning one’s future and taking
the necessary steps to pursue those plans, and (6)
acquiring the range of skills and values needed to make
a successful transition into adulthood (including work,
partnership, parenting, and citizenship).
By emerging adulthood, youth are increasingly The successful development of these cognitive skills
independent, acquire and manage greater relates to youth’s ability to be planful, an important skill
responsibility, and take on an active role in their own for successful pursuit of educational and occupational
development. Eccles and Gootman go on to specify goals. It has also been linked with adolescents’ greater
some primary challenges in this last stage of investments in understanding their own and others’
adolescence when youth begin to take on more internal psychological states and the resulting
demanding roles: (1) the management of these behavioral shift in focus on their developing close and
demanding roles, (2) identifying personal strengths and intimate friendships. As young people consider what
weaknesses and refining skills to coordinate and possibilities are available to them, they are more
succeed in these roles, (3) finding meaning and purpose capable of reflecting on their own abilities, interests,
in the roles acquired, and (4) assessing and making desires, and needs.
necessary life changes and coping with these changes.
Overall, youth are able to come to a deeper
Successful management of all these challenges depends
understanding of the social and cultural settings in
on the psychosocial, physical, and cognitive assets of the
which they live. In fact, research has found an increase
individual; the social supports available; and the
in youth’s commitments to civic involvement when such
developmental settings in which young people can
cognitive developments are coupled with prosocial
explore and interact with these challenges.
values and opportunities to think and discuss issues of
Physical and Biological Changes tolerance and human interaction with others. In a
culture that stresses personal choice in life planning,
During early adolescence, youth experience dramatic
these concerns and interests set the stage for personal
changes in the shape of their bodies, an increase in
and social identity formation and ultimately influence
gonadal hormones, and changes in brain architecture.
educational, occupational, recreational, and marital and
Another major biological change during this period
family choices.
between puberty and young adulthood is in the frontal
lobes of the brain, responsible for such functions as self-
control, judgment, emotional regulation, organization,
and planning. These changes in turn fuel major shifts in
adolescents’ physical and cognitive capacities and their
social and achievement-related needs. During early
adolescence, the primary task consists of managing
these biological and cognitive shifts and the subsequent
influences these have on behavior, mood, and social
relationships. How youth cope with these changes will
ultimately influence their well-being in later
adolescence as multiple additional tasks are imposed on
them.

Cognitive Development

Cognitive skill development over the adolescent years

enables youth to become increasingly capable of
managing their own learning and problem-solving while
also facilitating their identity formation and maturation
of moral reasoning. There are distinct increases in
adolescents’ capacities to think abstractly, consider
multiple dimensions of problems, process information
and stimuli more efficiently, and reflect on the self and
life experiences.